Image capturing module

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a camera unit including an optical lens, a circuit board unit connected to the camera unit and disposed at a periphery of the camera unit, and a casing including a first housing body and a second housing body attachable to the first housing body. The first housing body and the second housing body are configured to enclose a receiving space to receive the camera unit and the circuit board unit, and jointly define a front opening that intersects with an optical axis of the optical lens.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/433,825,filed on Jun. 6, 2019, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.16/115,812, filed on Aug. 29, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,331,016, whichis a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/414,675, filed on Jan. 25,2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,067,408, which is a continuation applicationof International Application No. PCT/CN2014/085588, filed on Aug. 29,2014, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of image capturing and, inparticular, to an image capturing module for aerial photography.

BACKGROUND

Many image capturing modules, for example, cameras, surveillancecameras, and the like, have a trend of becoming more compact andminiaturized. A conventional image capturing module usually includes alens module for obtaining an optical image and a circuit board coupledto the lens module. The circuit board includes a plurality of functionalmodules for implementing different functions, such as a photoelectricconverting module, an image processing module, an image transmittingmodule, a power supply module, a control module, and the like. Thefunctional modules usually generate heat during operation. Since avolume of the image capturing module is limited, the functional modulesneed to be integrated within a small and closed space of the imagecapturing module. Therefore, the heat generated by the functionalmodules is difficult to be dissipated effectively and timely. If theheat is accumulated to a certain extent, the performance of thefunctional modules will be impacted, and the overall performance of theimage capturing module will be impacted. A damage to the image capturingmodule can also occur in severe cases.

SUMMARY

In view of this, it is needed to provide an image capturing modulecapable of dissipating heat effectively.

In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided an imagecapturing module including a casing, a camera unit disposed in thecasing, a circuit board device connected to the camera unit and disposedin the casing, and a heat dissipation device. The circuit board deviceincludes a circuit board unit disposed at a periphery of the camera unitand including a functional module. The heat dissipation device includesa heat sink attached on a surface of the functional module fordissipating heat from the functional module.

In some embodiments, the image capturing module further includes asupport frame having a hollow frame-shaped structure with a receivingportion formed inside. The camera unit is received in the receivingportion, and the circuit board unit is disposed at a side portion of thesupport frame.

In some embodiments, the casing includes a first housing body, a secondhousing body connected to the first housing, a front enclosure, and aback enclosure. The first housing body, the second housing body, thefront enclosure, and the back enclosure jointly encloses a receivingspace for receiving the camera unit, the circuit board device, and theheat dissipation device.

In some embodiments, the casing includes a first hole corresponding tothe front enclosure and in communication with the receiving space and asecond hole corresponding to the back enclosure and in communicationwith the receiving space. The front enclosure is disposed at a positionof the first hole and closes the first hole. The back enclosure isdisposed at a position of the second hole and closes the second hole.

In some embodiments, the casing includes a first snap portion formed ata periphery of the first hole and a second snap portion formed at aperiphery of the second hole. The front enclosure includes a third snapportion corresponding to the first snap portion. The back enclosureincludes a fourth snap portion corresponding to the second snap portion.The front enclosure is connected to the casing through the first snapportion and the third snap portion, and the back enclosure is connectedto the casing through the second snap portion and the fourth snapportion.

In some embodiments, the first snap portion and the second snap portioneach includes a snap groove configuration. The third snap portionincludes a first sheet-like protrusion protruding from a side edge ofthe front enclosure. The fourth snap portion includes a secondsheet-like protrusion protruding from the back enclosure.

In some embodiments, the first hole and the second hole are provided ata joint of the first housing body and the second housing body.

In some embodiments, the first hole and the second hole include circularholes, and a line connecting circle centers of the first hole and thesecond hole is located on an optical axis of the camera unit.

In some embodiments, the first housing body includes a plurality offirst connecting portions formed on an inner wall of the first housingbody. The second housing body includes a plurality of second connectingportions formed on an inner wall of the second housing body. Each of thesecond connection portions is aligned with one of the second connectingportions. The first housing body and the second housing body are fixedlyconnected to each other through the first connecting portions and thesecond connecting portions.

In some embodiments, the first connecting portions and the secondconnecting portions include pillars each having an internally threadedhole.

In some embodiments, each of the second connecting portions penetratesthrough an outer surface of the second housing body to form acorresponding opening on the second housing body.

In some embodiments, the casing further includes a ventilating window incommunication with the receiving space and for ventilating the receivingspace.

In some embodiments, the ventilating window is formed at a position onthe casing close to the front enclosure.

In some embodiments, the ventilating window includes a first openingportion and a second opening portion connected to the first openingportion. The second opening portion is arranged farther away from thefront enclosure than the first opening portion. The second openingportion includes an opening inclined relative to an optical axis of thecamera unit and oriented towards the front enclosure.

In some embodiments, a profile of the second opening portion is in ashape of an arc. A top of the arc is further away from the optical axisof the camera unit than a bottom of the arc.

In some embodiments, the ventilating window is a first ventilatingwindow. The back enclosure includes a second ventilating window incommunication with the receiving space.

In some embodiments, the second ventilating window includes a pluralityof arced holes, a plurality of square holes, and a circular hole. Thecircular hole is formed at a central position of the back enclosure, andthe arced holes and the square holes are formed surrounding the circularhole.

In some embodiments, the circular hole and the square holes are disposedspaced apart from each other.

In some embodiments, the circuit board unit includes a first rigidboard, a second rigid board, a third rigid board, and a fourth rigidboard, a plurality of flexible boards connecting the first, second,third, and fourth rigid boards, and a plurality of functional moduleseach arranged on one of the rigid boards. The first, second, third, andfourth rigid boards are disposed on different side portions of thecamera unit by bending the flexible boards. The second rigid board isdisposed on a side of the camera unit facing the first ventilatingwindow. The fourth rigid board is disposed on a side of the camera unitfacing the second ventilating window.

In some embodiments, the functional module on the second rigid boardincludes a central processor.

In some embodiments, the functional module on the fourth rigid boardincludes an image processor.

In some embodiments, the heat sink is a first heat sink disposed on thesecond rigid board and connected to the functional module on the secondrigid board. The heat dissipation device further includes a second heatsink disposed on the fourth rigid board and connected to the functionalmodule on the fourth rigid board.

In some embodiments, the image capturing module further includes heatconduction fillers filled between the first heat sink and the functionalmodule on the second rigid board, and between the second heat sink andthe functional module on the fourth rigid board.

In some embodiments, the heat conduction fillers include heat conductiongels.

In some embodiments, a material of the first heat sink and the secondheat sink includes copper or aluminum.

In some embodiments, a material of the first heat sink and the secondheat sink includes ceramic.

In some embodiments, the first heat sink includes a base and a pluralityof heat dissipation fins formed on the base. The base is connected tothe functional module on the second rigid board.

In some embodiments, the plurality of heat dissipation fins are arrangedparallel to each other on the base, and an extending direction of eachof the heat dissipation fins is parallel to an optical axis of thecamera unit.

In some embodiments, the base and the heat dissipation fins are a firstbase and first heat dissipation fins, respectively. The second heat sinkincludes a second base and a plurality of second heat dissipation finsformed on the second base. The second base is connected to thefunctional module on the fourth rigid board.

In some embodiments, the plurality of second heat dissipation fins arearranged parallel to each other on the second base. The second heatdissipation fins are parallel to the first heat dissipation fins and anextending direction of each of the second heat dissipation fins isperpendicular to the optical axis of the camera unit.

In some embodiments, the circuit board unit includes a plurality ofrigid boards and at least one flexible board connecting the rigidboards. The rigid boards are disposed on different side portions of thecamera unit by bending the flexible boards. The functional module isarranged on one of the rigid boards.

In some embodiments, the heat dissipation device further includes a heatdissipation fan connected to the casing and for driving air within thecasing to flow.

In some embodiments, the heat dissipation fan includes a fan body and afixing member. The fixing member fixes the fan body on the basing.

In some embodiments, the heat dissipation fan includes a reinforcingmember disposed on the fixing member across a center opening of thefixing member.

Compared to the existing technologies, the image capturing module maydissipate heat of the circuit board device with the heat dissipationdevice. Therefore, heat accumulation within the image capturing modulemay be prevented effectively, ensuring the performance of the functionalmodules and the overall performance of the image capturing module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image capturing module in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view of the image capturing module of FIG. 1 from anotherangle.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the image capturing module of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view of a back enclosure and a heat dissipation fan of theimage capturing module of FIG. 2 from another angle.

FIG. 5 is a view of the image capturing module of FIG. 3 from anotherangle.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the image capturing module of FIG. 2 alongline VI-VI.

REFERENCE NUMBERS OF ELEMENTS

TABLE 1 image capturing module 100  casing 10 receiving space 101  firsthole 102  second hole 103  first ventilating window 104  first openingportion 1041  second opening portion 1042  first housing body 11 firstconnecting portion 111  second connecting portion 121  opening 1211 third connecting portion 122  second housing body 12 front enclosure 13third snap portion 131  back enclosure 14 fourth snap portion 141 second ventilating window 142  arced hole 1421  square hole 1422 circular hole 1423  first connecting post 143  second connecting post144  first snap portion 15 second snap portion 16 mounting portion 17camera unit 20 optical lens 21 image sensing module 22 circuit boarddevice 30 circuit board unit 31 rigid board 311  functional module 3111 first rigid board 311a second rigid board 311b third rigid board 311cfourth rigid board 311d flexible board 312  support frame 32 receivingportion 320  fourth connecting portion 321  connecting hole 3211  heatdissipation device 40 first heat sink 41 first base 411  first heatdissipation fin 412  second heat sink 42 second base 421  second heatdissipation fin 422  heat dissipation fan 43 fan body 431  connectinghole 4311  fixing member 432  central opening 4321  first through hole4322  second through hole 4323  reinforcing member 433  third throughhole 4331  fastener 50, 80 heat conduction filler 60, 70

Embodiments consistent with the disclosure will be described in detailbelow in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, an image capturing module 100 in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure includes a casing 10, a cameraunit 20 disposed in the casing 10, a circuit board device 30, and a heatdissipation device 40. In some embodiments, the image capturing module100 may be a photographic device used for aerial photography, which canbe controlled remotely to perform an aerial photography and can transmita captured image wirelessly to a receiving device on the ground (notshown).

The casing 10 includes a first housing body 11, a second housing body 12connected to the first housing body 11, a front enclosure 13, and a backenclosure 14. The first housing body 11, the second housing body 12, thefront enclosure 13, and the back enclosure 14 jointly enclose areceiving space 101 for receiving the camera unit 20 and the circuitboard device 30. In some embodiments, the casing 10 including the firsthousing body 11, the second housing body 12, the front enclosure 13, andthe back enclosure 14 is approximately in a spherical shape. Of course,the casing 10 can also be in another shape, such as a cuboidal shape, apyramidal shape, or another polyhedral shape.

The casing 10 has a first hole 102 corresponding to the front enclosure13 and a second hole 103 corresponding to the back enclosure 14. Boththe first hole 102 and the second hole 103 are in communication with thereceiving space 101. The first hole 102 and the second hole 103 arelocated on two opposite sides of the casing 10, respectively. In someembodiments, both the first hole 102 and the second hole 103 areprovided at a joint of the first housing body 11 and the second housingbody 12. That is, a portion of the first hole 102 is provided on thefirst housing body 11 and another portion of the first hole 102 isprovided on the second housing body 12. A portion of the second hole 103is provided on the first housing body 11 and another portion of thesecond hole 103 is provided on the second housing body 12. In someembodiments, the first hole 102 can be provided only on the firsthousing body 11 or on the second housing body 12. In some embodiments,the second hole 103 can be provided only on the first housing body 11 oron the second housing body 12.

In some embodiments, both the first hole 102 and the second hole 103 arecircular holes. A line connecting a circle center of the first hole 102and a circle center of the second hole 103 is located on an optical axisof the camera unit 20. In other embodiments, the first hole 102 and thesecond hole 103 can have other shapes.

A plurality of first connecting portions 111 for connecting to thesecond housing body 12 are formed on an inner wall of the first housingbody 11. A plurality of second connecting portions 121 corresponding tothe first connecting portions 111 and a plurality of third connectingportions 122 for connecting to the circuit board device 30 are formed onan inner wall of the second housing body 12. The first housing body 11and the second housing body 12 are connected together through matchingbetween the first connecting portions 111 and the second connectingportions 121. In some embodiments, the first connecting portions 111,the second connecting portions 121, and the third connecting portions122 include pillars each having an internally threaded hole. Each one ofthe second connecting portions 121 penetrates through an outer surfaceof the second housing body 12, forming a corresponding opening 1211.

The casing 10 further includes a mounting portion 17 used for mountingthe image capturing module 100 on a carrying apparatus such as a gimbal(not shown). In some embodiments, the mounting portion 17 is formed at ajoint of the first housing body 11 and the second housing body 12. Thatis, a part of the mounting portion 17 is formed on the first housingbody 11 and another part of the mounting portion 17 is formed on thesecond housing body 12. It can be understood that, the mounting portion17 may be formed entirely on the first housing body 11 or entirely onthe second housing body 12.

The casing 10 further includes a first snap portion 15 formed at aperiphery of the first hole 102 and a second snap portion 16 formed at aperiphery of the second hole 103. In some embodiments, the first snapportion 15 and the second snap portion 16 both have a snap grooveconfiguration. Specifically, the first snap portion 15 includes two snapgroove structures that are spaced apart from each other. One of the twosnap groove structures is formed on the first housing body 11 and theother one of the two snap groove structures is formed on the secondhousing body 12. The second snap portion 16 has a configuration similarto that of the first snap portion 15, and detailed description thereofis omitted.

The casing 10 further includes a first ventilating window 104 incommunication with the receiving space 101. The first ventilating window104 is formed at a position on the spherical casing 10 that is close tothe front enclosure 13. The first ventilating window 104 includes afirst opening portion 1041 close to the front enclosure 13 and a secondopening portion 1042 away from the front enclosure 13 and connected tothe first opening portion 1041. The second opening portion 1042 isinclined relative to the line connecting the circle centers of the firsthole 102 and the second hole 103, and faces towards the front enclosure13. A profile of the second opening portion 1042 is approximately in ashape of an arc. A top of the arc is positioned away from the lineconnecting the circle centers of the first hole 102 and the second hole103.

In the example shown in the drawings, the first ventilating window 104is formed on the first housing body 11. It can be understood that, aposition of the first ventilating window 104 may vary as appropriate.For example, the first ventilating window 104 can be formed on thesecond housing body 12 or at a border between the first housing body 11and the second housing body 12.

A shape and a size of the front enclosure 13 and those of the backenclosure 14 correspond to a shape and a size of the first hole 102 andthose of the second hole 103, respectively. The front enclosure 13includes a third snap portion 131 corresponding to the first snapportion 15. The back enclosure 14 includes a fourth snap portion 141corresponding to the second snap portion 16. In some embodiments, thethird snap portion 131 includes a sheet-like protrusion protruding froma side edge of the front enclosure 13. The fourth snap portion 141includes a sheet-like protrusion protruding from the back enclosure 14.A second ventilating window 142 in communication with the receivingspace 101 is formed on the back enclosure 14. In some embodiments, thesecond ventilating window 142 includes a plurality of arced holes 1421,a plurality of square holes 1422, and a circular hole 1423. The circularhole 1423 is formed at a central position of the back enclosure 14. Thearced holes 1421 and the square holes 1422 are formed surrounding thecircular hole 1423. The circular hole 1423 is arranged to be spacedapart from the square holes 1422. A plurality of first connecting posts143 and a plurality of second connecting posts 144 are formed on theback enclosure 14. In some embodiments, the first connecting posts 143include pillars each having a threaded hole formed therein.

The camera unit 20 includes an optical lens 21 and an image sensingmodule 22 arranged at an imaging side of the optical lens 21. Theoptical lens 21 is configured to acquire an optical image. The imagesensing module 22 is configured to sense the optical image acquired bythe optical lens 21 and to perform a photoelectric conversion. In someembodiments, the image sensing module 22 includes an image sensingmodule of a Charge-coupled Device (CCD) type or a Complementary MetalOxide Semiconductor (CMOS) type.

The circuit board device 30 includes a circuit board unit 31 and asupport frame 32. The circuit board unit 31 includes a plurality ofrigid boards 311 and a plurality of flexible boards 312 connecting therigid boards 311. Each one of the rigid boards 311 is provided with acorresponding functional module 3111 thereon. The functional modules3111 on different rigid boards 311 are configured to implement differentfunctions of the image capturing module 100. In some embodiments, thereare four rigid boards 311, i.e., a first rigid board 311 a, a secondrigid board 311 b, a third rigid board 311 c, and a fourth rigid board311 d. The second rigid board 311 b, the third rigid board 311 c, andthe fourth rigid board 311 d are disposed on different sides of thefirst rigid board 311 a, respectively, and are connected to the firstrigid board 311 a through one of the flexible boards 312. Specifically,the corresponding functional module 3111 on the second rigid board 311 bincludes a central processor, and the corresponding functional module3111 on the fourth rigid board 311 d includes an image processor. Thecentral processor and the image processor can generate heat duringoperation and can be the main heat-generating elements on the circuitboard device 30. In addition, the functional modules 3111 on the firstrigid board 311 a and the third rigid boards 311 c can have differentfunctions in accordance with specific requirements. Such functions canbe, for example, image transmission, power management, and/or gimbalcontrol.

It can be understood that, the number of the rigid boards 311 can varyin accordance with different actual requirements, and is not limited tothat in the present embodiment.

The flexible boards 312 include flexible circuit boards containingbendable circuits therein. Thus, the flexible boards 312 can connectdifferent rigid boards 311 to each other mechanically and electrically.In addition, different rigid boards 311 connected by a flexible board312 can be bent relative to each other at a predetermined angle.

The support frame 32 is approximately in a shape of a hollow polyhedralframe, with a receiving portion 320 formed inside the frame. In someembodiments, the support frame 32 is substantially in a shape of ahexahedral frame. A plurality of fourth connecting portions 321corresponding to the third connecting portions 122 are arranged on aperiphery of the support frame 32. In some embodiments, each one of thefourth connecting portions 321 includes a sheet-like structureprotruding from the periphery of the support frame 32, and includes aconnecting hole 3211.

The heat dissipation device 40 includes a first heat sink 41, a secondheat sink 42, and a heat dissipation fan 43. The first heat sink 41 andthe second heat sink 42 are made from a material with a good thermalconduction performance. Specifically, the material of the first heatsink 41 and the second heat sink 42 can be a metallic material such ascopper or aluminum, or a non-metallic material such as ceramic. Thefirst heat sink 41 includes a first base 411 and a plurality of firstheat dissipation fins 412 formed on the first base 411. The plurality offirst heat dissipation fins 412 are arranged parallel to each other onthe first base 411. The second heat sink 42 has a structure similar tothat of the first heat sink 41, and includes a second base 421 and aplurality of second heat dissipation fins 422 formed on the second base421. The plurality of second heat dissipation fins 422 are arrangedparallel to each other on the second base 421.

It can be understood that, in addition to the first heat sink 41 and thesecond heat sink 42, the heat dissipation device 40 can include othersimilar heat sinks to dissipate heat generated by the circuit boarddevice 30 in different situations.

The heat dissipation fan 43 is configured to facilitate an air movementwithin the casing 10. The heat dissipation fan 43 includes a fan body431 and a fixing member 432. A plurality of connecting holes 4311corresponding to the second connecting posts 144 are formed on the fanbody 431. In some embodiments, the fan body 431 is approximately in asquare shape and has two connecting holes 4311. The two connecting holes4311 are located at opposite ends of a diagonal of the fan body 431. Thefan body 431 includes blades (not shown) inside the fan body 431 forfacilitating air movement. The blades can generate an air flow whenrotating. The fixing member 432 is approximately in a flat plate-likestructure, and a central opening 4321, a plurality of first throughholes 4322 corresponding to the first connecting posts 143, and aplurality of second through holes 4323 corresponding to the secondconnecting posts 144 are formed on the fixing member 432. The heatdissipation fan 43 further includes a reinforcing member 433. In someembodiments, the reinforcing member 433 is approximately in a long stripshape. A third through hole 4331 is formed at each end of thereinforcing member 433. The reinforcing member 433 is disposed on thefixing member 432 across the central opening 4321. Each one of the thirdthrough holes 4331 is aligned with a corresponding second through hole4323.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, during assembly, the camera unit 20 isassembled into the receiving portion 320 of the support frame 32 andfixed on the support frame 32. The rigid boards 311 are disposed ondifferent sides of the support frame 32, respectively. Specifically, thefourth rigid board 311 d is disposed on a side of the support frame 32opposite to the optical lens 21 of the camera unit 20.

After the camera unit 20 and the circuit board unit 31 are disposed onthe support frame 32, the image sensing module 22 of the camera unit 20can be electrically coupled to the circuit board unit 31 using a patchcord (not shown).

The first heat sink 41 is disposed on the second rigid board 311 b.Specifically, the first base 411 is connected to the functional module3111 of the second rigid board 311 b. An extending direction of each oneof the first heat dissipation fins 412 is parallel to the optical axisof the camera unit 20. In some embodiments, a thermal conduction filler60 is filled between surfaces of the first base 411 and the functionalmodule 3111 to increase a contact stability and a thermal conductionefficiency between the first base 411 and the functional module 3111.The thermal conduction filler 60 can include a thermal conduction gel.The second heat sink 42 is disposed on the fourth rigid board 311 d.Specifically, the second base 421 is connected to the functional module3111 of the fourth rigid board 311 d. Each one of the second heatdissipation fins 422 is parallel to the first heat dissipation fins 412.An extending direction of each one of the second heat dissipation fins422 is perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera unit 20. Athermal conduction filler 70 is filled between surfaces of the secondbase 421 and the functional module 3111.

After the camera unit 20 is assembled with the circuit board device 30,the support frame 32 is disposed within the receiving space 101 of thecasing 10. The optical lens 21 is oriented towards the first hole 102.The first heat sink 41 is located at a side of the casing 10 that hasthe first ventilating window 104. The fourth connecting portions 321 arealigned with respective third connecting portions 122. In someembodiments, each one of the fourth connecting portions 321 and acorresponding connecting portion 122 are connected by a fastener 50, tofix the support frame 32 within the casing 10. The first housing body 11and the second housing body 12 are snapped together, where the firstconnecting portions 111 are aligned with respective second connectingportions 121. Thereafter, the first connecting portions 111 and thesecond connecting portions 121 are connected together using bolts (notshown) inserted in the openings 1211, such that the first housing body11 and the second housing body 12 are fixedly connected with each other.In addition, the first housing body 11 and the second housing body can,after being snapped together, be further fixed and sealed using glue(not shown) or the like.

The heat dissipation fan 43 is disposed on the back enclosure 14. Thefan body 431 is located between the back enclosure 14 and the fixingmember 432. The connecting holes 4311 of the fan body 431, the secondthrough holes 4323 of the fixing member 432, and the second connectingposts 144 of the back enclosure 14 are respectively aligned. The firstthrough holes 4322 of the fixing member 432 and the first connectingposts 143 of the back enclosure 14 are respectively aligned. The fixingmember 432 is connected to the first connecting posts 143 of the backenclosure 14 through fasteners 80 inserted in the first through holes4322. Likewise, the fixing member 432 and the fan body 431 are connectedto the second connecting posts 144 of the back enclosure 14 throughfasteners (not shown) inserted sequentially in the second through holes4323 and corresponding connecting holes 4311.

The front enclosure 13 closes the first hole 102. The third snap portion131 and the first snap portion 15 are snapped together. The backenclosure 14 closes the second hole 103. The fourth snap portion 141 andthe second snap portion 16 are snapped together.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, when the image capturing module 100operates, the functional modules 3111 on the circuit board unit 31 maygenerate heat. The first heat sink 41 dissipates the heat generated bythe functional module 3111 on the second rigid board 311 b. The secondheat sink 42 dissipates the heat generated by the functional module 3111on the fourth rigid board 311 d. The heat dissipation fan 43 is turnedon to draw an air flow into the receiving space 101 of the casing 10through the first ventilating window 104. The arc-shaped profile of thesecond opening portion 1042 of the first ventilating window 104 canfacilitate the entry of the air flow into the casing 10. Moreover, whenthe image capturing module 10 is carried by an aerial vehicle (notshown) and moves, even if the heat dissipation fan 43 is not provided,the second opening portion 1042 can still cause the air flow to enterthe receiving space 101 and flow to the second ventilating window 142along the first heat sink 41. Thus, the heat dissipation air flow can beaccelerated, and a heat dissipation effect can be improved. The heatdissipation fan 43 causes a portion of the air flow to flow within aspace between the first heat sink 41 and the first housing body 11 andtowards the second heat sink 42. When passing through the first heatdissipation fins 412, this portion of air flow can take away the heatabsorbed by the first heat sink 41. Another portion of the air flowmoves within a space between the third rigid board 311 c and the secondhousing body 12 and towards the second heat sink 42. When passingthrough the third rigid board 311 c, this portion of air flow can takeaway the heat generated by the corresponding functional module 3111. Theheat dissipation fan 43 causes the two portions of air flow to convergeat the second heat sink 42 and to take away the heat absorbed by thesecond heat sink 42. The heat dissipation fan 43 exhausts the airconverged at the second heat sink 42 out of the casing 10 of the imagecapturing module 100 through the second ventilating window 142. Inaddition, a portion of the heat within the casing 10 can rise to the topof the casing 10 through hot air. Therefore, the first ventilatingwindow 104 provided on the top of the casing 10 can dissipate the heatto the environment as quickly as possible.

The image capturing module 100 utilizes the heat dissipation device 40to dissipate the heat from the circuit board device 30. As such, heataccumulation within the image capturing module 100 can be preventedeffectively, ensuring the performance of the functional modules 3111 andthe overall performance of the image capturing module 100.

It can be understood that, those skilled in the art can make a designincluding other variations within the spirit of the present disclosure,as long as it does not depart from the technical effect of the presentdisclosure. These variations made according to the spirit of thedisclosure shall all fall into the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a camera unitcomprising an optical lens; a circuit board unit connected to the cameraunit and disposed at a periphery of the camera unit; and a casingcomprising: a first housing body and a second housing body attachable tothe first housing body, the first housing body and the second housingbody configured to (1) enclose a receiving space to receive the cameraunit and the circuit board unit and (2) jointly define a front openingthat intersects with an optical axis of the optical lens; and a mountingportion formed at a joint of the first housing body and the secondhousing body for mounting the casing to a carrying apparatus.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first housing body and the secondhousing body further jointly define a back opening that intersects withthe optical axis of the optical lens.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the front opening and the back opening are provided at the jointof the first housing body and the second housing body.
 4. The apparatusof claim 2, further comprising a back enclosure that closes the backopening.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the back enclosure furtherincludes a second ventilating window in communication with the receivingspace for ventilating the receiving space.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a front enclosure that closes the front opening. 7.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the front enclosure further includes afirst ventilating window in communication with the receiving space forventilating the receiving space.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe circuit board unit further comprises a plurality of rigid boards andat least one flexible board connecting the plurality of rigid boards,wherein the plurality of rigid boards are disposed on different sideportions of the camera unit by bending the flexible board.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the circuit board unit further comprises afunctional module arranged on one of the plurality of rigid boards. 10.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the functional module comprises atleast an image processor, and the functional module is configured toperform at least one of image transmission, power management, or gimbalcontrol.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a heatdissipation device disposed in the receiving space.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the heat dissipation device comprises a heat sinkattached on a surface of the functional module for dissipating heat fromthe functional module.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the heatsink comprises a base and a plurality of heat dissipation fins formed onthe base, the base being connected to the functional module.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the heat sink further comprises a thermalconduction filler disposed between the base and the functional module.15. A casing, comprising: a first housing body; a second housing bodyattachable to the first housing body; and a mounting portion formed at ajoint of the first housing body and the second housing body for mountingthe casing to a carrying apparatus; wherein the first housing body andthe second housing body are configured to (1) enclose a receiving spaceconfigured to receive a camera unit and (2) jointly define a frontopening provided at the joint of the first housing body and the secondhousing body.
 16. The casing of claim 15, wherein the first housing bodyand the second housing body further jointly define a back openingprovided at the joint of the first housing body and the second housingbody.
 17. The casing of claim 16, wherein the camera unit furthercomprises an optical lens, wherein the front opening or the back openingintersects with an optical axis of the optical lens.
 18. The casing ofclaim 16, further comprising a back enclosure that closes the backopening, wherein the back enclosure includes a ventilating window incommunication with the receiving space for ventilating the receivingspace.
 19. The casing of claim 15, further comprising a front enclosurethat closes the front opening.